2015 Mentors of the Year

The College of Education and its partners honored 19 teachers and two counselors from Idaho public schools for excellence during ceremonies on April 7 in the Stueckle Sky Center at Boise State.

The Celebration of Teaching — Mentors of the Year Awards honored the group for encouraging fellow educators in their pursuit of effective teaching and professional growth. Each educator received a $500 check, blown-glass apple sculptures designed by Zion Warne and other gifts.

Barbara Morgan, keynote speaker and distinguished educator in residence at Boise State, told the group, “Mentoring is key to continuing professional development for all educators.” Morgan also is a former elementary school teacher and NASA astronaut.

“Caring mentors are essential for driving the type of innovative and creative classroom practice that results in quality instruction,” said Rich Osguthorpe, dean of the College of Education. “Mentors serve as role models and confidants, helping new teachers engage in safe, productive and effective professional learning communities. They represent the best of our profession.”

Besides the College of Education and its Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies, sponsors of the event included CapEd Credit Union and Norco. Donors included Albertsons, S. Hatch and Claire Barrett, Roger and Barbara Michener and TeachIdaho.

Educators, school administrators, university supervisors, pre-service teachers and intern counselors from the more than 50 public school districts in southwest Idaho nominated teachers and counselors for the awards.

Click here is a list of the honorees and information and comments from their nomination letters.